Manager on Thursday

Thursday, 14th Feb 2019

“I believe I’ve got players in there who are good enough to win games between now and the end of the season but it’s about getting that confidence ....

“Inverness are a good side and Robbo will have them well organised” warned Stevie Crawford when he addressed the media this lunchtime adding a note of urgency “the league is so tight, we’ve got to start winning games now.”

With the Pars manager looking for his first win in his fifth match in charge he is encouraged by his side’s first half performance against league leaders Ross County.

“We were very good but as a group we’ve discussed what we could have done better in the second half.

“I’m convinced the quality is in there but it’s just the confidence is a little bit down at the moment but to perform the way we did for 45 minutes against County, hopefully that can give the boys some confidence to go on and start winning games.

“You can turn round and worry what`s happening away from your own door step but it’s in our hands that we have to start winning games and I’m fully aware that we have to focus on Inverness on Saturday and that’s what we’ll concentrate on.

“I believe I’ve got players in there who are good enough to win games between now and the end of the season but it’s about getting that confidence and still demanding more work for them, I think we can work harder as a team collectively and individually.”

With a free week due to William Hill Scottish Cup ties last weekend, Stevie confessed that he would have liked that week to work on new things but it didn’t quite turn out as planned:-

“Unfortunately we picked up a few more knocks which gave us a week to get over them. The numbers were down but the positive is that it’s given boys a couple of weeks to be ready for this game.

“When you come in through the season it’s difficult to bed in ideas about how you want your team to play. It is what it is and I belief there is enough talent in there.”

Saturday’s fixture will also see Stevie going head-to-head with his good acquaintance John Robertson. His relationship with Robbo goes all the way back to when he made his debut for Scotland. The Pars gaffer has the utmost respect for his Inverness Caley Thistle counterpart, he continued:-

“The two of us ended up playing in attack in the game against Ecuador - I think that was the only one we played together. He’ll tell you that it was a great one-two we played to assist me for my debut goal for my country, he’ll mention that on Saturday but that will be to try and soften me up.

“He’s a guy I respect in the game and he has great knowledge and experience of Scottish football. He’s a good talker and motivator and he’s a good person who has football at heart.

“Through my B and A coaching licences, Robbo was one of the ones that was always down at Largs and he’s got vast knowledge of the game, tactically, technically - he knows what it takes for teams to do well.”

Regards player availability Lewis Martin (pictured above) has an ongoing hamstring problem. Mark Durnan, James Vincent and Tom Beadling have got in another week’s training but SC warned it’s about making sure that they are right.

Louis Longridge (pictured below) played the first half of the reserve league match in Dingwall on Tuesday. Stevie said:-

“That is a massive plus because he can get assists, carry the ball up the pitch when you’re under pressure and has an eye for a goal. He is also an infectious character. He’s well liked in the dressing room and we’re delighted he got 45 mins for the reserves.

“I’m sure he’ll have a big impact between now and the end of the season. He’s looking good in training and he’s hungry to do well.”

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